We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tylar Duncan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tylar, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?
My experience with failure has been a journey of trying, falling short, and ultimately discovering my true path and skill set. It’s a story of embracing failure as a stepping stone toward success. Throughout my life, I’ve ventured into various fields, each attempt adding more depth to my ability to pursue what I now know is my calling.
In college, I was on track to become a lawyer, while balancing a job and pursuing a side hustle as a makeup artist. I gave my all to both, but ultimately, I failed at both. Then, I shifted my focus to launching a clothing business, starting with handmade swimwear. I quickly realized I wasn’t equipped for that either—I never quite mastered sewing! Undeterred, I tried a boutique clothing store, but once again, I struggled. Drop shipping turned out to be far more complicated than I had anticipated.
Despite these failures, I never gave up. Every setback taught me something valuable, building the skill sets I didn’t even know I would need for where I am now. My experiences in law, makeup, and fashion all contributed to my growth in ways I couldn’t see at the time. What I’ve learned is that failure isn’t final unless you stop trying. As long as you keep moving forward, every failure is just a lesson, a part of the journey toward fulfilling your purpose. For me, it’s proof that God has been guiding me to where I’m supposed to be all along. Success is built on the lessons learned from falling forward, not giving up.
Tylar, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Tylar, the founder of The Twelve One Experience, where we specialize in curating bespoke, unforgettable events that blend creativity, style, and personal connection. My journey into this industry wasn’t a straight line—I’ve tried my hand at many things, from studying law to makeup artistry to running a clothing business. Each experience taught me something valuable, and all of those lessons have come together to help me build The Twelve One Experience into what it is today.
At The Twelve One Experience, we provide a range of event services, from intimate picnic setups to luxurious dinner parties and custom tablescape designs. Our mission is to create experiences that leave lasting memories by paying attention to the smallest details—whether it’s personalized décor, thoughtful design, or creating an atmosphere that feels both beautiful and welcoming. We take the time to understand our clients’ visions, and we transform those ideas into something tangible and truly unique.
What sets us apart is our commitment to making every event a reflection of the client’s personal style, while adding our signature touch of elegance and creativity. We’re not just planning events; we’re creating moments that resonate long after the celebration is over. The problem we solve for our clients is taking the stress out of planning and elevating their ideas into something beyond their expectations.
I’m incredibly proud of how far The Twelve One Experience has come. Each event we curate feels like a new opportunity to help people connect and celebrate in a way that’s meaningful to them. What I want potential clients to know is that we’re passionate about what we do, and we’re dedicated to making their special moments unforgettable. Our team takes pride in not just meeting, but exceeding our clients’ expectations, and creating experiences that people talk about for years to come!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience is an essential quality in any field, but especially in the world of entrepreneurship. There’s a common misconception that working for yourself leads to quick success and financial independence. In reality, for most entrepreneurs, it’s a long process of hard work, planting seeds, and waiting for those seeds to bear fruit. One of my partners said it perfectly: when you decide to start a business, it’s like deciding to have a baby.
Just like with a newborn, you have to nurture it, dedicate your time and energy, and invest a lot of money without expecting much in return—at least not right away. In those early stages, it’s late nights, early mornings, and the business just “sits there” without giving much back. Sure, there’s a sense of pride in what you’re building, but it doesn’t provide immediate rewards.
The real return comes over time, as the business grows and matures. Eventually, with resilience and persistence, that “baby” becomes a teenager, then an adult, capable of giving back and even taking care of you. There’s a season in entrepreneurship where your business takes more than it gives, but if you’re patient and keep pushing forward, you reach the point where your business stands on its own and starts to reward you for all the time and effort you’ve invested.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
My experience with funding my business might not be as glamorous as others, but it’s real. I’ve worked more than one job at a time to keep my business going. While there are plenty of options out there like grants or loans, for me, it was a matter of balancing my 9 to 5 job and then shifting to my business from 5 to 9—or sometimes 5 to 10, 11, or even midnight. It required a lot of dedication and long hours to make sure I was feeding my business while still maintaining other responsibilities.
I’ve also been incredibly blessed with a family that believed in my dreams and my desire to own my own business. In the early stages, multiple family members contributed financially to help me get started, adding to what I had saved up. That support, both financially and emotionally, was crucial in those beginning phases, and it allowed me to continue pushing forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.thetwelveoneexperience.com
- Instagram: @twelveoneexperience
Image Credits
@lemoors_lens
@fraustin
@rotimi7